The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 15, 2026, as the new date for the commencement of the terrorism trial involving two alleged leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, who were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
The trial was originally scheduled to begin on Wednesday, but Justice Emeka Nwite deferred the proceedings after defence counsel B. I. Bakum pleaded for more time to receive and review the charges and accompanying proof of evidence, which are currently in the custody of the DSS where the defendants are held.
Bakum requested that his clients be transferred to a correctional facility to allow him easier access and ensure a smooth trial process.
However, DSS counsel David Kaswe, an Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, strongly opposed the application and urged the court to proceed with the trial as witnesses were already present.
DSS Protocol and Fair Hearing Concerns
Kaswe noted that DSS procedures require defence lawyers to formally request access to detainees and copy the prosecuting team. He said Bakum had not followed the protocol and therefore could not claim restricted access.
He prayed the court to compel the defence lawyer to comply with the established guidelines, which he argued would facilitate better coordination.
In a brief ruling, Justice Nwite held that, in the interest of fair hearing, it was necessary to grant the adjournment.
He therefore rescheduled the trial to January 15, 2026, and ordered the defence counsel to follow DSS protocol by writing formally whenever he seeks access to the defendants and copying the prosecutor.
Terror Charges and Guilty Plea
Usman and Abba are being prosecuted by the DSS on a 32-count terrorism charge.
While Abba pleaded not guilty to all 32 counts, Usman pleaded guilty to count 10, which relates to economic crimes.
Back on September 11, Usman was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after admitting he used proceeds from illegal mining to purchase firearms for terrorism and kidnapping activities. He denied the remaining counts.
Allegations: Bombings, Kidnappings, and Terrorist Training
According to charges filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, the defendants allegedly committed various terrorism offences between 2015 and 2024.
The prosecution alleges that the duo:
Participated in the bombing of Wawa Military Cantonment in Niger State.
Received training in weapons handling and fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Belonged to foreign terrorist networks.
Engaged in terrorism financing and operated kidnapping rings.
Received combat training from a terrorist organization in Mali.
The DSS further claims that Usman and Abba kidnapped a Customs officer and an Immigration officer—one of whom was killed while in captivity—and collected multi-million-naira ransoms from victims’ families.
The defendants are also accused of engaging in unlawful mining, generating millions of naira which were allegedly used to procure arms, ammunition, and IEDs deployed for terrorist operations.
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